Can opener key



March 20, 1962 l. KAPLAN 3,025,994

CAN OPENER KEY Filed Nov. 20, 1959 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 22' M L s i .27-

INVENTOR. IRA KAPLAN 5F- glam/p 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1959 INVENTOR. IRA KAP LAN Ava/wry nited States Patent 3,025,994 CAN OPENER KEY Ira Kaplan, New York, N.Y., assignor to Key Accounts, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 854,491 1 Claim. (Cl. 220-52) This invention relates generally to turning tools and more particularly to a can opener for opening cans having weakened edges along the walls thereof or weakened tear-off strips.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a can opener adapted to bring substantial leverage to bear in removing the portion of the can to be severed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can opener that is rugged, easy to grasp by the hand of the user, and is positive and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide a can opener which is simple in construction, characterized by fewness of parts, with no movable parts to get out of order and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a can opener embodying one form of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sardine can with the can opener of FIG. 1 applied thereto preparatory to opening the can.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the Working end of the shank of the can opener, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a can opener embodying a modified form of the invention, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a can opener embodying a further modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a can opener embodying yet another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a can opener embodying one form of the invention is shown and indicated generally at 10. The can opener comprises an elongated shank 12, preferably of the order of four inches, made of suitable metal. The shank is round in cross section. At one end the shank is reduced in diameter and is formed square in cross section as indicated at 14, which end is fitted into a socket opening 16 in a handle 18. The handle 18 is formed of Wood, plastic or any other suitable material, and is disposed perpendicularly to the shank 12. The shank is fitted to the handle midway between the ends of the handle.

At its outer free end, the shank 12 is formed with an elongated slot 20 extending centrally of the shank. The opposed faces 22 are flat.

In using the can opener 10, the slotted end of the shank is slipped over the projecting lug 24 found in sardine cans and the like such as the can 26 so that the lug preferably projects above the slot in the end of theshank as shown in FIG. 2. When the lug is thus positioned in the slot 20, the shank is turned by means of the handle 18 whereby "ice the material of the top Wall 28 of the can is torn along the weakened line 30 and the material of the top wall winds itself around the slotted end of the shank of the can opener. In some instances the can has a narrow weakened strip extending around the top wall thereof adjacent its periphery, in which case the strip is wound around the slotted end of the shank.

The modified form of can opener 10' shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises an elongated metal shank 12' round in cross section with an elongated central slot 20' having flat faces 22' at one end thereof. The other end 14' of the shank is reduced in diameter and is square in cross section. A strip 32 of plastic material rectangular in cross section is bent upon itself forming a U-shaped member with two superposed slightly spaced leg portions 34 and 36 and a looped end portion 38. The leg portion 34 and looped portion 38 are fiat and the leg portion 36 is round. The reduced end 14 of the shank 12 is immovably fitted in a socketed opening 40 in the leg 34 of the strip midway between its ends. The other leg 36 of the strip extends through the central bore 42 of an elongated Wooden or plastic handle 44 extending across the shank. The handle 44 is substantially rectangular in cross section with flat top and bottom surfaces. The top end 14' of the metal shank is peened over the edge of the socketed opening 40 in the leg 34 and is pressed fiat against the flat surface of the handle 44.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, another modified form of can opener 10" is shown. This can opener consists of an elongated metal shank 12" round in cross section. The shank is bent intermediate its end and projects laterally forming an extension of looped formation having a pair of upper and lower superposed leg portions 50 and 52, respectively joined by a looped portion 54. The upper leg portion 50 extends beyond the shank 12" on the other side thereof.

The upper leg portion 50 extends through the central bore 42" of an elongated wooden or plastic handle 44", the inner end of the handle engaging the looped portion 54. The outer free end of the shank is formed with a central slot 20".

The modified form of can opener 10 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the can opener 10" except that no separate handle is used. In this form, the leg portions 50 and 52 serve as the handle.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

In a can opener having an elongated metal shank, a handle structure including a U-shaped plastic strip, one leg of said strip being round in cross section, the other leg being rectangular in cross section, an elongated wooden handle member having a central bore receiving the round-shaped leg of the U-shaped strip, the leg of rectangular cross section of the strip having a socketed opening midway between its ends receiving an end of the shank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS (Other references on following page) 3 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,381,037 Smith Sept. 19, 1865 1,432,324 Griswold Nov. 26, 1872 Waeber Apr. 25, 1893 Zimmerman Nov. 6, 1900 5 162,860 Bellows Oct. 22, 1918 334,582

4;. Vogel June 7, 1921 Fannen Oct. 17, 1922 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 12, 1921 France Dec. 24, 1903 

